You still can't open the Chase checking account product at WaMu branches. You can only open the old Wamu Free Checking product that doesn't have the direct deposit requirement and includes Free Checks.

That product doesn't exist when you walk into an actual Chase branch. Chase checking accounts don't have free checks and have direct deposit requirements to remain free.

That's why I said it's a shame that the WaMu product won't be able to qualify since it's not a Chase checking product, it's the WaMu Free Checking account that Chase will eventually phase out.